1987 Buick Grand National vs 2018 gt

[Jmtoast]

I owned 5 Syclones over 25 years, from mild to heavily modified. The Syclone did not have anything in common with the GN/GNX.. it was based on the 4.3 truck engine that was basically a stock LB4 with hyprutectic pistons and nodular iron main caps, 700r4 transmission with a modified valve body, Borg Warner 7742 xfer case, and stock s-10 rear end. Syclones were fun on the street due to their AWD, but a significant investment was needed to make one go 10's and survive. From a dig at a light it is very hard to beat even a stock Syclone if the driver put a couple of pounds of boost against the foot brake.

The Syclone was inferior to the GN in just about every way, the Turbo 3.8 was a much more robust and well-thought out platform. The Syclone was cobbled together with parts that generally already resided in the GM parts bin.

BTW.... Your story about the Syclones going to Sweden is accurate, I was good friends with the guy who did a lot of the shipping for them. I believe the fastest AWD title still resides with Robert from Sweden - 8.9x as I recall.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-gmc-syclone-19/

Go for good money now.

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[Balr14]

I owned 5 Syclones over 25 years, from mild to heavily modified. The Syclone did not have anything in common with the GN/GNX.. it was based on the 4.3 truck engine that was basically a stock LB4 with hyprutectic pistons and nodular iron main caps, 700r4 transmission with a modified valve body, Borg Warner 7742 xfer case, and stock s-10 rear end. Syclones were fun on the street due to their AWD, but a significant investment was needed to make one go 10's and survive. From a dig at a light it is very hard to beat even a stock Syclone if the driver put a couple of pounds of boost against the foot brake.

The Syclone was inferior to the GN in just about every way, the Turbo 3.8 was a much more robust and well-thought out platform. The Syclone was cobbled together with parts that generally already resided in the GM parts bin.

BTW.... Your story about the Syclones going to Sweden is accurate, I was good friends with the guy who did a lot of the shipping for them. I believe the fastest AWD title still resides with Robert from Sweden - 8.9x as I recall.

Thanks a lot for your insight and info. I have been thinking of buying a Syclone. Would you recommend it or should I pass?

 

[sy1462]

Thanks a lot for your insight and info. I have been thinking of buying a Syclone. Would you recommend it or should I pass?

I would pass... unless you can get a stock truck with a proven pedigree and keep it that way. Like GN's, Syclones were almost always modified to some extent and tampering with the odometer was/is extremely common. It was very easy to detonate the engine due to poorly designed heads and ignition for a boosted application - which took out many stock motors that came with cast rods/crank. To make one hold decent power consistently the entire powertrain needed to be upgraded. The shock factor with them was how quickly they could take off due to the AWD/Auto transmission, but a stock Syclone started to nose over pretty quicly after 60mph.

There are very few people left on earth who know much about them which makes it even more complicated for a new owner and there is effectively no aftermarket left for them. The forum BB is gone except for archives, but some of the OG's reside on the SyTy (syclone/typhoon) facebook page if you can find them.

If you decide to pull the trigger on one feel free to hit me up if you have any questions. I was a continuous owner from 1991 - 2016 when I sold my last truck (high 9 sec full bowtie block build) and bought my Mustang. At one point I owned 3 of them at the same time lol... pretty sure I could have retired by now if I had stayed away from them.

 

[Balr14]

I would pass... unless you can get a stock truck with a proven pedigree and keep it that way. Like GN's, Syclones were almost always modified to some extent and tampering with the odometer was/is extremely common. It was very easy to detonate the engine due to poorly designed heads and ignition for a boosted application - which took out many stock motors that came with cast rods/crank. To make one hold decent power consistently the entire powertrain needed to be upgraded. The shock factor with them was how quickly they could take off due to the AWD/Auto transmission, but a stock Syclone started to nose over pretty quicly after 60mph.

There are very few people left on earth who know much about them which makes it even more complicated for a new owner and there is effectively no aftermarket left for them. The forum BB is gone except for archives, but some of the OG's reside on the SyTy (syclone/typhoon) facebook page if you can find them.

If you decide to pull the trigger on one feel free to hit me up if you have any questions. I was a continuous owner from 1991 - 2016 when I sold my last truck (high 9 sec full bowtie block build) and bought my Mustang. At one point I owned 3 of them at the same time lol... pretty sure I could have retired by now if I had stayed away from them.

Thanks again. Passing makes a lot of sense. Maybe I'll just go looking for an old S10 and put a small block in it. I really just need a small pickup truck to haul stuff and would like something with a little power.

 

[BillAz31]

I had a 93 Typhoon. The drive train was not intended to be bolted to a high power motor. I must have put (5) starters in it, a front differential, (2) prop shafts, (3) transmissions (the last one race built - lasted 6 months), (2) transfer cases and (2) steering shafts. Oh, and broke the rear springs. The thing would dig like mad out of the hole, but wheezed a little on top. It was an absolute money pit.

 

[Dfeeds]

My dad, in his youth, owned a foxbody 302 and drove it like a maniac. He said his biggest surprise was when a GN blew his doors off.

Fast forward to a cruise I took my dad along in my new 2019 and I'm behind a mint and definitely not stock GN. Light goes green, he seemed like he was going for it so I did and blew passed him. I figured he wasn't trying so I short shifted first but, alas, he was. Through third gear he ended up passing me (albeit very slowly, it was a good nose to nose). My dad was laughing saying how it brought back memories.

It was a fluke and I'm positive I wouldn't have lost in a straight head to head. Yet, it's so much more fun to joke about how my bloodline is destined to lose to grand nationals in a mustang.

 

[WildHorse]

To the O/P.. raced a bone stock GN-X last night from a dig. Wasn't even close my man. He got gapped HARD lol. Cheers.

 

[schmeky]

Wildhorse,

I LOVE it. I would like to find out for myself. I will try to goad this neighbor into a least a roll race. I'm more than willing, and I'm dying for a hook up!

Thanks, I really appreciate the post.

 

[IrishStallion]

Run em and find out. I would put my money on the a10 18 gt. A10’s are nasty from a roll.

 

[schmeky]

Looks like this may happen. Sent a text and GN owner said "Sure". Going to see if we can coordinate for the coming week.

I'll update one way or another, winner or looser.

 

[Sivi70980]

I'm sure you'll smoke him

 

[cosmic charlie]

Take him to a road course. Over in 1st turn.

 

[WildHorse]

I'll update one way or another, winner or looser.

Well ? WTF ? Haha.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

This is the most drawn out vs. thread...6 months of back and forth to try to race a Grand National that, if stock or near stock, you'll easily smoke. Ha.

 

[schmeky]

If he outruns me he'll earn it. Drove my GT this morning (50 degrees and low humidity) and it runs like a beast.

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